This lesson covers 20 C2 phrasal verbs on Travel. At Proficiency you must distinguish particles that change meaning subtly and match register across formal and informal contexts. Complete the runner, then use the glossary below to consolidate each verb. Detailed explanations appear in Review mode once you finish the set.
sleep off
to sleep until you feel better, especially after too much alcohol
The exhausted researcher decided to _____ the long flight before returning to the lab.
cry out
to suddenly shout something in a loud voice, especially to get someone’s attention
The injured climber began to _____ for help when the rescue team finally appeared.
scream out
to suddenly shout something in a loud voice, especially to get someone’s attention
The injured climber began to _____ for help when the rescue team finally appeared.
finish off
to make someone so tired, weak, or unhappy that they are unable to continue what they were doing
The final stage of the marathon completely _____ the elite runners.
zip along
to move very quickly
The new high-speed train is designed to _____ between the major research hubs.
pull out
to drive to a different part of the road, usually a part where the vehicles are travelling faster
The ambulance had to suddenly _____ to avoid the slow-moving traffic.
blow out
if a car tyre blows out, it suddenly bursts
The tyre suddenly _____ on the highway during the presidential motorcade.
cut in
to suddenly drive in front of someone, not leaving enough space between the two vehicles
The impatient driver tried to _____ dangerously close to the ambulance.
stow away
to hide on a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, in order to travel secretly or without paying
The desperate young scientist tried to _____ on the research vessel to reach the remote island.
be cast away
to be on an island with no other people after swimming from a ship that is sinking
The expedition team feared they might _____ a remote Pacific island after the storm.
curl up
to lie or sit with your back curved and your knees close to your stomach
After the long flight she just wanted to _____ on the sofa with a good book.
fold up
to make something [e.g. cloth, paper, chair] into a smaller, neater and usually flatter shape by folding it, or to be able to be folded in this way
The old folding chair suddenly _____ under the weight of the heavy equipment.
double back
to turn and go back in the direction that you have come from
The expedition team had to _____ when they discovered the bridge had collapsed.
push on
to continue travelling somewhere
Despite the heavy rain the expedition team decided to _____ towards the research station.
drop back
if you are moving forward in a group of people and you drop back, you move to a position nearer the back
The leading runner began to _____ as fatigue set in during the final lap.
yell out
to suddenly shout something in a loud voice, especially to get someone’s attention
The injured climber began to _____ for help when the rescue team finally appeared.
shout out
to suddenly shout something in a loud voice, especially to get someone’s attention
The injured climber began to _____ for help when the rescue team finally appeared.
change down
to put a vehicle into a lower gear (= part of a machine that controls the speed of a vehicle), usually in order to go slower
The driver had to _____ when approaching the sharp mountain bend during the test drive.
eke out
to use something slowly or carefully because you only have a small supply of it
The expedition team had to carefully _____ their limited water supplies during the long trek.
set out
to begin something with a specific aim
The expedition team is scheduled to _____ on the long journey to the remote research station tomorrow.